The US-led West is considering imposing new sanctions on Iran, following a postponement of Israel’s war cabinet meeting to address Iran’s recent attack. However, analysts caution that additional sanctions are unlikely to deter Iran or de-escalate tensions in the Middle East; instead, they could provoke more aggressive actions from Iran. They urge the US to intervene and prevent Israel from escalating the conflict.
The White House has announced plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone program, as well as entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Defense Ministry. The UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated collaboration with G7 partners on further sanctions against Tehran.
Despite these measures, experts believe that new sanctions will have minimal impact on Iran, as the country has adapted to long-standing sanctions. They warn that escalating tensions could lead to serious consequences for the region and global energy supply.
Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasizes the importance of US intervention, given its significant influence in the Middle East. He urges the US to restrain Israel’s aggressive tendencies, noting that the current US Middle East policy lacks coherence.
Zhu Yongbiao, executive director of the Research Center for the Belt and Road at Lanzhou University, criticizes the US for its inconsistent approach to Middle East issues, describing it as “duplicity.” He highlights Israel’s comprehensive strategy against Iran and urges caution to avoid a large-scale conflict in the region.